another Scroll question

[opr1945]

As I mentioned in earlier posts I was looking on line for Karate themed Japanese wall hanging scrolls and discovered an area of interest I knew nothing about. Now I can at least spell the name, not much more. I ended up purchasing one mentioned in my earlier post. It is now hanging outside my home office and I quite like and enjoy it. I came across several others related to the style of Karate I am studying to hang in the area I practice at home. I guess you could call it my Dojo-ette?

Any way I came across an old scroll circa1830 according to the seller, online. If true it is around 200 years old. I received it today and it looks like the pictures posted online. However, It appears to me to be very fragile. My intent was to hang it in my home. But after looking at it I am concerned about causing damage to it. So my question is, is there some other to display and enjoy it without damaging it? I thought about perhaps mounting on a piece of contact paper, which I could attach to the dowls at top and bottom using the contact paper backing to support the weight and keep the weight from causing the scroll to tear more than it already is torn. Probably would destroy any collectors value it has. But, considering what I paid for it there is little value to destroy.

Perhaps there is a company that professionally restores scrolls. But, surely that would cost more than what I paid for the scroll in the first place. NOTE: I have watched a couple of U-tube videos on restoration. And it is amazing what they can do. I can't imagine that it is inexpensive.

I thought about a shadow box but haven't figured how to mount it to take the suspended weight off the scroll it self.

Any Ideas?

PS: I have no idea what it says or what it is, any information would be appreciated.


Ebay listing pictures Japanese buddhist KAKEJIKU /Buddhist hanging scroll Kaimyo H75cm AD1830 | eBay

 

[opr1945]

I could not figure out how to post the picture in the Ebay listing since the pictures were formatted in an app the this web site would let me upload. I think it was PNG? If someone can get the web site to up load the pictures I would be grateful. The pictures show the tears but not the frailty.

I have purchased scrolls that said "There is No First Strike in Karate" and "Karate Do." They are all in Kanji so I have to rely on seller for accurate translation. When I was a teen ager I worked with a guy who taught me to swear in Hungarian, at least that is what he said he taught me. LOL

 

[Haruhiko]

Ebay listing pictures Japanese buddhist KAKEJIKU /Buddhist hanging scroll Kaimyo H75cm AD1830 | eBay

I'm 90% sure that's a scroll from Koyasan, Wakayama prefecture. Nothing to do with Karate.

According to my local kanji LLM tool, it transliterated and summarised the scroll this way:

"The document is a formal contract or dedication made on January 7, 1821, at Seijoin Temple on Mount Koya. It records an agreement for a tea ceremony dedication or memorial plaque in honor of or commissioned by a lay Buddhist follower named Noguchi Genkurou. The document emphasizes the sincerity and dedication (一心, "Isshin") of the individual involved, likely indicating a heartfelt or spiritually significant gesture. This type of document was often used to record a vow or religious act, serving as both a contract and spiritual testament.

The red seal at the bottom likely authenticates this document as a legitimate agreement by the temple officials, adding authority to the dedication or offering. This contract exemplifies the role of tea offerings as a form of Buddhist memorial or dedication, a practice that honors either the deceased, Buddhist deities, or ancestors, reflecting a common tradition within Shingon Buddhism.

The symbol at the top of the document is likely a Sanskrit bonji representing Dainichi Nyorai or a similarly significant figure in Shingon Buddhism. Its inclusion elevates the document from a mere agreement to a spiritually consecrated contract, emphasizing the dedication's religious importance and the involvement of Buddhist ideals in honoring the person or purpose associated with the name plaque."

If you've already purchased it, please consider contacting the temple (directly here:
[email protected])
and the Koyasan preservation bodies as I'm sure they would like to have it returned:

Koyasan Saizen-in Temple

There is peace of mind in the silence. Please spend a relaxing time of four seasons and a moment of healing at Koyasan Saizen-in.

www.koya.or.jp

 

[Haruhiko]

Perhaps there is a company that professionally restores scrolls. But, surely that would cost more than what I paid for the scroll in the first place. NOTE: I have watched a couple of U-tube videos on restoration. And it is amazing what they can do. I can't imagine that it is inexpensive.

Keep it flat, away from humidity, and if you insist on keeping it (for whatever reason; it's not associated with any dojo or martial art at all), have an expert to verify its authenticity.

Don't restore it, and don't follow YouTube tutorials.

As I said, the temple still exists and would be interested about this artefact. They usually store things like these for posterity/research.

EDIT:
The seller mentioned "Kaimyo"...

Given this might be a Kaimyo (posthumous name) scroll, it likely represents a memorial dedication made for a deceased individual who was a devoted lay follower. This particular scroll commemorates the deceased by recording their spiritual dedication and placing them under the protection and guidance of the Buddha. The tea offering mentioned on the scroll would be a way to honor the deceased, in accordance with Buddhist memorial practices.

This type of Kaimyo scroll is more than a historical artifact—it’s a sacred memorial. Ideally, it would be kept in a place where its significance can be maintained.

Now I highly recommend contacting the temple. They may have knowledge of the deceased's family today, and a means to contact them.

 

[opr1945]

Thank you very much for the information.

 

[Haruhiko]

Thank you very much for the information.

Please let me know how they respond. I've visited the temple many times and frequently stay at an adjacent temple whenever I'm in Japan.

Koyasan, for context, is the most sacred place for Shingon Buddhism in Japan. I cannot overstate how interested they would be about this scroll.

EDIT:
After more research and prompting through the LLM, it looks like it actually may be related to this temple (also Koyasan; doesn't change the significance):

Summary of the Shojoshin-in Temple | 高野山別格本山 清浄心院

An introduction of the origins regarding the establishment of our temple Our temple was established by the founder of th

shojoshinin.jp

Phew. Enough for now. Hopefully you'll find a suitable and respectful home for the scroll.

@opr1945

 

[opr1945]

IN the process of looking for Karate themed scrolls I came across general Japanese hanging scrolls for sale on ebay. As mentioned in another post I purchased one which now hangs in the hallway in front on my home office, Just as decoration. I quite enjoy it. So I was looking for others for decoration in other parts of my home when I came across this one. While I didn't know anything about it, I did not think it was related to Karate, I just liked it.

I have sent an email to the address you provided. Now time to wait and see what the response is.

Thank you.

 

[opr1945]

My dad used to tell me "be careful what you ask for, you may get more than you wanted!"

I wanted more information and now I may end up loosing the scroll!

 

[opr1945]

I think I figured it out. The issue is the weight caused by the bottom dowel being subject to gravity.
Solutions:
1. remove bottom dowel
2. provide additional support for bottom dowel
a. by placing support pegs under bottom dowel so that weight is removed from scroll itself
b. by placing scroll in shadow box so that top and bottom dowels are held in place by pressure applied by squeezing them between backing of frame and glass front.

Issue my be moot if temple wants scroll.

 

[opr1945]

I just noticed that I for to place the word "or" between 1 & 2 above. Also, I just noticed that on the few scrolls that I have the dowels appear to be fastened (glued ?) to the fabric, such that removal would not be possible without damage to the scroll.

 

[opr1945]

In the way of collateral damage of my discovery of scrolls was my discovery of scroll weights. Apparently up until recent time Japanese houses were not very air tight. Occasionally, a strong wind would come up and items inside the house were subject to being moved by the wind. Hence, scroll weights were used to lesson the likelihood that the hanging scroll would be moved or even blown off the wall. With better construction today the utility of scroll weights has lessened to make them obsolete today. They continue to be used by some in honor of the tradition.

I think they are very cool. I have purchased some for use with with my small growing collection of scrolls. Just Another rabbit hole to go down. In my opinion they are inexpensive example of historical traditions. They start at around $40.00 including shipping on the internet and go up dramatically from there.

I have purchased several as Christmas gifts. I am making display stands so they can be displayed without an actual scroll. Stand will be about 1 foot high and 9" in width and be in the design of a Japanese Gate.

 

[Haruhiko]

I think they are very cool.

Some of them are, just be aware of what you're buying - as the kaimyo (if it's authenticated) is pretty personal. It's like having a Christian death certificate hanging in your living room.

I am making display stands so they can be displayed without an actual scroll.

Treat them with care and try not to restore anything.

In my opinion they are inexpensive example of historical traditions.

Some of them are innocuous decorations which are very old and curiously inexpensive - it would benefit any buyer to understand their messaging. Most of them depict esoteric representations of the Buddhas worshipped in Koyasan.

If in doubt contact the head temple which governs the smaller ones in Koyasan:

高野山 金剛峯寺 Koyasan Kongobuji

高野山 金剛峯寺 Koyasan Kongobuji. 40,557 likes · 1,018 talking about this · 1,344 were here. 弘法大師空海が開いた真言密教の聖地 Koyasan is the monastery of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism, founded by Kobo Daishi, Kukai

www.facebook.com

 

[opr1945]

In my post #11 I was talking about the weights not the scrolls. The weights are mostly some sort of stone balls and in very good condition along with tassels also like new.

The items that might need restoration are the old scrolls. Such an effort is way beyond my pay grade. I would not personally attempt any repair or restoration. Merely trying not to let them deteriorate more. But, actually after seeing the condition of the one I have received. I doubt I will be purchasing any more "old scrolls". The level of fragility was not apparent from the pictures. Since I want to display them the newer (stronger) ones better suit my purposes.

Thank you.

 

[opr1945]

Most of the scrolls I have come across for sale do not have an explanation of the substance of the content. Or a very general one, i.e. This is a hanging scroll depicting the Zenkoji-style Amida Sanson.

A couple that I found interesting were just Kanji calligraphy (hope that is the correct term). I contacted the sellers for a translation and the response was along the lines of "I don't know. Note: the sellers were located in Japan. One explanation was that the scroll was old and apparently the writer was also old and the meaning was hard to decipher. But, most gave no explanation, just said they didn't know.

Since I cannot read them, I suppose the meaning is irrelevant to me. I am judging them based entirety on their aesthetic appearance to me. Others may have a different opinion.

The scroll pictured below is listed as "Japanese Hanging Scroll KAKEJIKU Vintage "KANJI" Hand Painted Calligraphy HSA138." In the description there is no mention of what the writing says...

Item description from the seller​

Description​

Condition:used
Weight:673g
Size:197.5×79cm

Includings​

All you can see on the picture will be included in a set of a package. Please refer to the pictures for more details. Please check the pictures and do not hesitate to ask any questions about the item.

Shipping​

When you purchase more than one item, we will bundle as much as possible for your consultation. We will discount the shipping cost if it is lower by bundling the items. We send a product by Japan Post or FedEx. We attach the tracking number. The shipping status sometimes takes some time to be reflected on the website. Please buy it now without worrying. Shipping is only available to the address registered in ebay. Please note that any address not registered in ebay is not acceptable to ship.

Returns​

Unconditional Return Policy
Customer service and satisfaction are very important to us. We have an unconditional return policy if notified within 60 days of the receipt of the item. All returned items must be the original condition. All return requests must be made within 60 days of the receipt of the item. Please contact us first for return before you ship it back to us. Thank you!!

International Buyers - Please Note:​

Please Note. Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer’s responsibility.Please check with your country’s customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying. We don’t mark merchandise value below value or mark items as gifts. Japan and International government regulations, and Ebay rules prohibit such behavior.
Thank you for your understanding.

 

[opr1945]

There are people I know who are not that old but their handwriting is terrible and hard to read.

 

[Gyakuto]

Koyasan….my favourite place in Japan…